Cover photo for John R. "Jack" Coogan's Obituary
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1931 John R. 2018

John R. "Jack" Coogan

October 24, 1931 — July 8, 2018

John R. "Jack"Coogan Sr., 86, of Cranford and Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ passed away on Sunday, July 8, 2018 surrounded by his family.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at the wake at Gray Memorial Funeral Homes, 12 Springfield Avenue in Cranford on Thursday, July 12 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and join with us in a mass honoring and celebrating his life on Friday, July 13 at 10:30 am at St. Michael's RC Church in Cranford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Westfield. Please go to: www.grayfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences.
Jack was born on October 24, 1931 in Orange, NJ and grew up in Irvington. He is survived by the love of his life for 67 years, Edith Kennedy Coogan, his children Patty Coogan Wyle (Christopher) of Cos Cob, CT, Jeanne Coogan Rocha of Metuchen, Mary Coogan (Stephen Reuning) of Millstone, Ellen Coogan (Greg Barnes) of Green Bay, WI, Anne Coogan (Gary Meisch) of Scotch Plains, John Coogan, Jr. (Michele Germann) of Freehold, and Katherine DuPont (Joe) of Highlands; his 12 grandchildren, Melissa, Tim and Amy Wyle, Brien (Caroline) and Meredith Rocha, Winston (Dana) Reuning, Alison Acevedo, Kelsey and Sean Meisch, Kaitlyn (Michael Miller) and Corinne Coogan, and Eva DuPont; and 5 great-grandchildren, Anastasia, Nicholas, Winston 2.0, Harrison, and Emerson. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and devoted friends. Son of the late Thomas J. Coogan and Loretta Jeanette (nee Murphy), he was predeceased by his brother Thomas J. Coogan Jr., and his granddaughter Elizabeth Reuning.

Jack's greatest joys came from spending time with his wife and family, attending school events and cheering at the various sports events of his children and grandchildren. He was also a strong supporter of all of Edith's nonprofit endeavors and her greatest fan. In retirement, he enjoyed travel, golf, and attending Giants football games and especially Seton Hall basketball games. He was a true gentleman and mentor who quietly encouraged everyone around him to be their best and do the right thing in family, at work, and in the community.

Jack Coogan joined Honeywell, Inc. at age 19, and prior to retirement after 44 years, was the General Manager, Commercial Division of NJ. Jack was a long time member of St. Michael's RC Church in Cranford. Shortly after retirement, Jack volunteered his time as the general contractor overseeing the complete renovation of St. Michael's Church. He was also a life time member of ASHRAE, and the Seton Hall Alumni Association. He graduated from Seton Hall University and the Newark College of Engineering.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for a memorial donation in John's name to the Seton Hall Pirate Blue Athletic Fund, care of Seton Hall University 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange, NJ 07079 (https://advancement.shu.edu/support/pirate-blue-athletic-fund) or Raphael's Life House, PO Box 491, Cranford, NJ 07016.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John R. "Jack" Coogan, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, July 12, 2018

4:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

Gray Memorial Funeral Home

12 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016

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Funeral Mass

Friday, July 13, 2018

Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)

St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church

40 Alden St, Cranford, NJ 07016

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Interment

Friday, July 13, 2018

Starts at 11:45 am (Eastern time)

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